JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A U.S. Air Force Senior Airman was flown home by a charity Saturday morning for a special military family reunion after being away for over two years.
Carson LaGrange was greeted by his mom, dad, and grandma with balloons and banners at Jacksonville International Airport.
“Anything he does, he does it very well,” his mother, Christie LaGrange, said.
He was away from his family for over two years serving his country.
“I’m excited to be back, excited to see my family,” Carson LaGrange said. “It’s been a little bit since I’ve been in Florida, so good to be back.”
Carson LaGrange hugging his grandmother after being away from his family for two years. (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the world’s largest military base by population. Carson LaGrange also served overseas during his time away from home, but in the states, he got involved outside of his normal duties.
“A lot of volunteer work there with my church,” he said. “Worked there as a deacon as well as different volunteer opportunities on base.”
Miles for Military is an organization that provides a free round-trip flight anywhere in the U.S. It requires at least 25 hours of volunteer work, and military applicants have a chance to get airfare completely covered.
Carson LaGrange completed over 80 hours and he was the organization’s 100th flight.
“Carson’s such a great story, and I’m so glad Carson is our 100th flier,” Jacob Cool, the chief operating officer of the organization, said.
But duty calls as he’s preparing for a cross-country move to Wichita Falls, Texas. In the meantime, his family is looking forward to making the most of every moment with their senior airman.
All flights are funded through donations made to Miles of Military.
Click here if you are interested in making reunions like this possible.
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.